The attack on Giorgi Gakharia, leader of the opposition party, is seen as a politically motivated move by ruling party members amid increasing tensions following disputed elections and ongoing protests in Georgia.
Georgian Opposition Leader Attacked, Accuses Ruling Party
Georgian Opposition Leader Attacked, Accuses Ruling Party
Former Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia suffers injuries during a hotel assault, raising concerns over political violence in Georgia.
Georgian opposition leader Giorgi Gakharia has been hospitalized after a violent incident at a Batumi hotel, where he allegedly faced an attack from members of the ruling Georgian Dream party. According to medical reports, Gakharia suffered a broken nose and a concussion as a result of the assault, which has been characterized by his party as politically motivated and aimed at instilling fear among opposition figures.
The incident occurred in the Sheraton hotel lobby during heightened political tensions in Georgia, following contentious elections in late October. Since then, the southern Caucasus nation has experienced nightly protests, exacerbated by the government’s decision to halt discussions about joining the European Union. In a show of solidarity, hundreds of businesses participated in a three-hour strike on the 49th day of protests.
While unclear footage captured the assault, it shows Gakharia being forcibly restrained and later pictured with blood on his clothing. In a social media post, he assured supporters, "healthwise I'm doing fine," despite his doctor's diagnosis of serious injuries.
European Commission spokesperson Anitta Hipper expressed shock at the alleged participation of Georgian Dream politicians in the attack, emphasizing that violence has no place in democracy. Conversely, representatives of Georgian Dream have claimed that Gakharia instigated the confrontation, suggesting that footage supports their narrative.
This violent episode follows a worrying trend, as attacks on political leaders and journalists increase in frequency. Notably, Zviad Koridze, an anti-corruption journalist, faced his own assault just before Gakharia’s incident, highlighting an atmosphere of intimidation. The UK’s ambassador to Georgia has voiced concerns over the political climate, labeling the ongoing violence against opposition figures and arbitrary detentions as "unacceptable."
Gakharia previously served in the Georgian Dream administration before forming his own opposition party, For Georgia, in 2021. As public dissatisfaction grows with the ruling party's governance, which many believe leans towards Russian interests amid calls for EU integration, the political crisis continues to deepen. Georgia's ombudsman, Levan Ioseliani, condemned the assaults, urging measures to protect politicians and journalists from such violence.
The European Parliament has echoed concerns regarding the legitimacy of the recent elections, calling for a re-run, and the EU's foreign policy chief criticized the Georgian government's oppressive tactics against dissent. As the situation unfolds, the integrity of Georgian democracy appears increasingly at stake.
The incident occurred in the Sheraton hotel lobby during heightened political tensions in Georgia, following contentious elections in late October. Since then, the southern Caucasus nation has experienced nightly protests, exacerbated by the government’s decision to halt discussions about joining the European Union. In a show of solidarity, hundreds of businesses participated in a three-hour strike on the 49th day of protests.
While unclear footage captured the assault, it shows Gakharia being forcibly restrained and later pictured with blood on his clothing. In a social media post, he assured supporters, "healthwise I'm doing fine," despite his doctor's diagnosis of serious injuries.
European Commission spokesperson Anitta Hipper expressed shock at the alleged participation of Georgian Dream politicians in the attack, emphasizing that violence has no place in democracy. Conversely, representatives of Georgian Dream have claimed that Gakharia instigated the confrontation, suggesting that footage supports their narrative.
This violent episode follows a worrying trend, as attacks on political leaders and journalists increase in frequency. Notably, Zviad Koridze, an anti-corruption journalist, faced his own assault just before Gakharia’s incident, highlighting an atmosphere of intimidation. The UK’s ambassador to Georgia has voiced concerns over the political climate, labeling the ongoing violence against opposition figures and arbitrary detentions as "unacceptable."
Gakharia previously served in the Georgian Dream administration before forming his own opposition party, For Georgia, in 2021. As public dissatisfaction grows with the ruling party's governance, which many believe leans towards Russian interests amid calls for EU integration, the political crisis continues to deepen. Georgia's ombudsman, Levan Ioseliani, condemned the assaults, urging measures to protect politicians and journalists from such violence.
The European Parliament has echoed concerns regarding the legitimacy of the recent elections, calling for a re-run, and the EU's foreign policy chief criticized the Georgian government's oppressive tactics against dissent. As the situation unfolds, the integrity of Georgian democracy appears increasingly at stake.
